Applicants, parents and Guidance Counsellors with questions about completing the SIF/DARE form should consult the published handbooks and contact CAO if they cannot find answers to their questions. We will have staff trained in dealing with queries on completing these sections of the form.
Questions on how applicants will be assessed and how offers are to be determined should be directed to the Access and Disability Offices in Higher Education Institutions and not CAO. CAO plays no part in making decisions on admissions.
To speak to a DARE representative in the Access Office of each of the participating institutions please use the contact details listed here.
| Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) | |
| Disability Access Route to Education Handbook | Download |
| SIF Section B - Educational Impact Statement Form * | Download |
| SIF Section C - Evidence of Disability Form | Download |
| SIF Section D - School Statement | Download |
| Guide to providing evidence of your disability | Download |
| Guide for GPs for Completing Section C Evidence of Disability | Download |
| DARE 2024 Literacy/Numeracy Attainment Summary Sheet | Download |
| DARE 2024 Information for Psychologists in relation to applicants with Dyslexia/ Significant Literacy Difficulties or Dyscalculia/ Significant Numeracy Difficulties | Download |
| DARE 2024 Information for Guidance Counsellors/ Teachers in relation to applicants with Dyslexia/ Significant Literacy Difficulties or Dyscalculia/ Significant Numeracy Difficulties | Download |
| DARE Key Dates | Download |
| DARE School Presentation | Download |
| DARE Information Leaflet | Download |
| * How to download and complete the Educational Impact Statement (EIS) | |
What Colleges take part in DARE?
This video explains:
Sections B & C & D Supporting Documents
1. These dates may be amended. CAO may communicate with applicants on dates that are not listed below.
2. CAO will correspond with applicants via post, e-mail, SMS text or telephone. All CAO correspondence must be read carefully and any errors or omissions notified to CAO immediately.
3. It may take some time to prepare supporting documents and applicants must allow enough time to ensure that their documents reach CAO by the deadline. Documents received after the deadline will not be accepted.
4. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all relevant correspondence is received and dealt with appropriately. If an applicant is going to be absent at any stage between February and October, they should arrange for someone to deal quickly with their correspondence. Failure to respond may have very serious consequences.
| 6th November (12:00) | CAO online application facility opens. The DARE Supplementary Information Form (SIF) becomes available for CAO applicants. |
| 1st February (17:00) | Closing date for CAO applications. |
| February | CAO will send a reminder email to all applicants that have ticked the Med box in their application that Yes to Q1 in the SIF should be ticked if they want to be included in the DARE scheme. |
| 1st March (17:00) | 1. As part of your CAO application you must indicate that you have a disability. 2. Closing date for completion of Section A of the SIF. 3. If you wish to be considered for the DARE scheme you must indicate this on the fully completed SIF/DARE form by ticking “Yes” to Question 1 by 17:00 on 1st March. |
| March | CAO will acknowledge receipt of your online DARE application by e-mail and remind you that your application is not complete until you submit your supporting documents. |
| 15th March (17:00) | Latest date for DARE supporting documents (Section B-Educational Impact Statement & Section C-Evidence of Disability) to arrive in CAO. Both sections must be completed, signed and stamped. |
| Before End of May | CAO Statement of Application Record sent to all applicants. (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| April-June | Screening of DARE applications. |
| 25th June | Applicants notified of outcome of DARE Application; DARE Review and Appeals process opens. |
| 2nd July (17:00) | DARE application Review and Appeals deadline. |
| Early August | DARE Review and Appeals applicants notified of eligibility. |
| 28 Aug (14:00) | Round 1 offers. |
| 3 Sept (15:00) | Round 1 Acceptances. |
| 9 Sept (14:00) | Round 2 offers. |
| 11 Sept (15:00) | Round 2 Acceptances. |
| September | HEIs begin registration. |
Central Applications Office Ltd. - Registered in Ireland Number 53983 - Registered Office: Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway.
